Eco Ninjas

14/06/2026

See the name. Know the role. Trust the team. 💙

It’s time to change how we communicate in the operating theatre! We are championing the use of name-identified scrub caps to enhance communication and patient safety.

A recent systematic review (Giordano et al. in 2025) highlights exactly why this simple change matters so much:

📉 Reduces Errors: Cuts misidentification errors by an incredible 65%–78%.

🌟 Promotes Equity: Provides disproportionately greater benefits for female and underrepresented minority staff by boosting role recognition and reducing microaggressions.

🤝 Enhances Teamwork: Fosters better connection and communication across perioperative teams.

🛡️ Protects Patients: Ultimately leads to a safer environment and improved patient safety.

When you know exactly who you’re working with, the whole team works better together.

Identity scrub caps are available now! Let’s make the OR a safer, more connected place. Head to www.econinjas.co.uk or hit the link in our bio to learn more. ✨

Research cited: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40761607/

09/06/2026

WE ARE ON THE BBC! 📺✨

I was absolutely delighted to learn today that the BBC’s feature on our Eco Ninjas theatre badge hats aired nationally this afternoon!

It is incredibly rewarding to see our work shared across the country and to witness the real, positive impact these hats are having on both theatre teams and patients. By simply putting a name and role on a hidden face, we are transforming the surgical environment.

As highlighted in the report, our badge hats are making a difference by:

Improving Communication: They help highly diverse surgical teams instantly identify who they are talking to at all times.

Enhancing Sustainability: They offer a reusable alternative to single-use items, helping theatres go green.

Comforting Patients: They help patients feel more at ease during tense moments before surgery by making the staff feel more "human".

(Just one tiny correction to the broadcast - I am a proud ex-nurse, rather than a former trainee surgeon as stated in the video! 🩺😉)

Thank you to everyone who has supported Eco Ninjas so far, but if you want to get involved, check out our page!

Here’s to better communication, greener operating theatres, and compassionate patient care! 💚🏥

28/05/2026

28/05/2026

BBC news featuring our theatre badge hats in action ☺️

28/05/2026

This video was featured on BBC Somerset News yesterday demonstrating the benefits of our theatre badge hats in surgery.

Filming took place at Musgrove Park’s Trauma & Orthopaedics department at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust last Friday.

The WHO surgical checklist was captured on camera, with badge hats clearly reaffirming each team member’s name and role throughout the day, removing the need to rely on memory alone.

The patient perspective at the end was particularly powerful. It was a fantastic reminder of the reassurance and confidence patients feel when they know exactly who is caring for them before, during and after their surgery.

A huge thank you Consultant Surgeon Andrew Stevenson, who worked closely with the BBC and provided the main narration, clearly describing the impact that badge hats are having within his department.

Danielle CheckettsNeil Draper Joy Eva Baker

21/04/2026

What an incredible time at the Future of Surgery Festival in Birmingham.

It was inspiring to meet surgeons already wearing our badge hats and to hear the real‑world difference they’re making every day.

The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, especially from medical students who so often told us:

“I’ve never been known by my name or role before.”

Across both days, the same themes kept coming up: Clear identification improves communication, learning and patient safety. It also reduces bullying and challenges gender bias in theatre, allowing teams to focus on patient care rather than re‑establishing roles.

Students shared how much more engaged they feel when they’re named. Female surgeons spoke openly about memory challenges and bias.

And many people said the same thing:
“A no brainer.” “Why isn’t this being done everywhere?”

There were honest conversations about procurement and single‑use habits, but a strong shared appetite for more inclusive and sustainable solutions.

A brilliant event, filled with passionate people all working towards safer, kinder and more inclusive surgery. We’re leaving inspired and more motivated than ever 💚✨

15/04/2026

On the train to Westminster 🚆As a brother and sister team, Eco Ninjas are heading in to advocate for continued support for a safer and more sustainable NHS.

We’re proud to represent frontline innovation and practical solutions that benefit patients, staff, and the planet.

Wish us luck 🤞💚

02/04/2026

We had a brilliant Propel Ecosystem Road Trip yesterday with visits to the University of Bradford and the new National Health Innovation Campus in Huddersfield. It was great hearing about the support and innovation happening across the region but the tour of the campus really stood out.

Yorkshire and Humber faces some of the toughest health challenges in England including low life expectancy for both men and women high levels of obesity and one of the highest rates of infant mortality. The new campus has been created to help tackle these issues by bringing partners together across West and South Yorkshire and Greater Manchester.

The simulation facilities were amazing to see with full ward setups including maternity spaces, dentistry and surgery… there was even an ambulance environment with a group of paramedics having some training- this is all designed to give students hands on realistic learning opportunities. Some of the practice mannequins were so realistic…..and some were absolutely terrifying 🤭.

It was also lovely catching up with the Propel team with fantastic conversations & enjoying plenty of laughs; especially when watching Tim East bring CPR practice to life!

A really valuable day with a great group of people

30/03/2026

We are so pleased that our theatre badge hats came as runners up in this HSJ award 👏

28/01/2026

New blog: Building the Business Case for Reusable Theatre Caps in Your NHS Trust — a practical guide to cutting waste, reducing costs and meeting Net Zero goals. Read how reusable caps can lower procurement spend, shrink clinical waste volumes and support sustainability targets across your trust. Read more: https://wix.to/BcEjWYV

e are pleased to share that our Parliamentary meeting at Westminster is now scheduled for the afternoon of 15 April 2026. This represents a significant opportunity to highlight how improving visibility, communication, and human connection in surgery can strengthen patient safety across the NHS.